Chapter 4 (1/2)

Translator: purplenails

Chapter 4: The Deceased Gong Zhi-yuan

”You must have discovered something. If you don't clear it out to me today, I will stay here.” the first thing Liu Jian-jun said when he walked into my shop. After Liu Jian-jun dismissed his team, he drove all the way here. Now, sitting across me in an imposing manner.

”You as a police didn't find any clue, what do you expect from a retailer who is selling wreath and paper money? Would you like some tea?” I asked while grinning at Liu Jian-jun. Sit all you want, I don't mind a police working in here as my shop is not an illegal club that needs to be watched.

”It's a human life we are talking about. I know you have a kind heart, otherwise you wouldn't have helped me and my mother. I never believe in your line of work, but since I've encountered the issue myself, I do believe now. Plus, the only person I know in your line of profession is you. Help me if you can.” Liu Jian-jun understands that playing the hardball isn't getting him anywhere, he then changed his tactics to be more gentler.

”I can't believe that one would eat one's own flesh.” Liu Jian Jun took out a cigarette and lit it.

”May I know why do you keep bothering me? Why don't you make use of this time on investigation, see if anyone held grudges against the deceased.” I said while putting in some tea leaves into the pot and brew it with warm water.

”Are you suspecting that it's the act of revenge? No, no. However brutal a murderer may be, it's impossible to force someone devour their own flesh alive.” His eyes widened at the idea, but later shook off the idea.

”Perhaps you should investigate to find out the truth? Everything happens for a cause. Nothing happens without a reason. What would you say? Mr. policeman?” I pa.s.sed him a finely brewed tea as I asked.

”I'll follow your lead then. We shall start from the normal procedure, if it leads us to nowhere, you can't stay arms folded and do nothing.” Liu Jian-jun realized that I truly didn't want to get involved, he have no choice but to compromised.

”Very well then.” I place my finger under my nose and smell it as I replied to him.

”Interesting, nurturing a stillborn child spirit to do the killing for self-benefit.” I said to myself. After I send Liu Jian-jun away, I caught the scent of the unworldly spirit that still lingers on my fingers. My hands were covered in gloves when I touched the corpse in the crime scene. Somehow, the scent of spirit tainted my flesh through the gloves. The grudges that the stillborn spirits held was apparently quite strong.

I close the door behind me immediately and headed to the loft upstairs. Burnt three incense and place it in the censer then reverently kowtowed to the portrait of Three Pristine Ones that hang on the wall before me. I rise and chant the Purity Incantation to clear off the scent of death from my body.

”The Three Pristine Ones, peace my soul and mind. Balanced my yin and yang to bond my spirit within. Azure Dragon and White Tiger, Vermillion Bird and Black Tortoise, along thy practice, the true enlightenment illuminates. Haste, haste, I command ye!”

Following the cleansing rite, the foul scent of the spirit has removed from my body. Next, I picked up some yellow paper and a dish plate full of vermillion ink then starts to draw the Fu Talisman. A stillborn-child spirit under someone's control, the grudges and rages it carries must be more than an average ghost. Think about it, who would want to be under control even after death?